Recently rebuilt portfolio - Any pointers?

mwdesign · May 4th, 2008, 09:28

I've had this domain for 4 years this summer, its seen various stages of development. This most recent version has been built to be easily updated, as I don't have much time to do so with the rest of my web work.

I'm yet to include a php email form, the site uses javascript for the random images that appear on the left in the index and contact pages. It was important that it passed the w3c guidelines with no warnings.

It would be great to hear your thoughts on the site design and any suggestions on what could be done to make improvements, theres always room for those!

Thanks,

mwdesign

aso186 · May 4th, 2008, 18:06

Could you post a link? Our website critque form currently isn't working correctly

mwdesign · May 5th, 2008, 20:27

www.mwdesign.me.uk

CloudedVision · May 7th, 2008, 01:12

I accidently closed out of my previous post, so I'll just go over the big things right now.

Links look exactly like text
Images are JPEGs, should be GIFs
Margin at the bottom would be nice
Contact link hover color barely different from normal color
Little blips on the shadow at the bottom

Theres a few more critiques, but I'm running out of time. But great looking site!

mwdesign · May 7th, 2008, 08:29

Thanks for the comments / critique,

I'm slowly coming round to using gifs, I'm too much into the quality of the image, but do realise the importance of light weight files on the web.
I could look into a margin.
Yes, I agree the main contact link rollover is not very visible so will be changing that when I can.
Not sure what you mean by the blips. The shadow is intentionally cut off at right angles, maybe its a cross browser thing, I have tested mac - safari and firefox and pc ie6 and firefox.

mwdesign

CloudedVision · May 7th, 2008, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwdesign

I'm slowly coming round to using gifs, I'm too much into the quality of the image...

Actually, for all of those images (except for possibly the black and white nature images on the bottom left) would be better quality as GIFs. Here's a rule of thumb: JPEG = pictures, GIFs = images with 2 or 3 colors, PNGs = stay away unless transparency is need.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwdesign

...but do realise the importance of light weight files on the web.

Lightweight files are still important, but slowly being forgotten.

But one way to lighten up the file size is to get rid of all that extra whitespace in most of the images.

mwdesign · May 7th, 2008, 22:43

Thanks for the tip, I can see how useful the gifs will be. I will keep the 2/3 colours in mind , they have been useful for site headers where there is just a logo and a slogan in a couple of colours, but like you say a black and white photo, don't know why I didn't consider this before.

Thanks again,

mwdesign

CloudedVision · May 8th, 2008, 02:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwdesign

Not sure what you mean by the blips. The shadow is intentionally cut off at right angles, maybe its a cross browser thing, I have tested mac - safari and firefox and pc ie6 and firefox.

mwdesign

That's what I mean. Are those intentional? Because they look like they don't belong.

welshstew · May 8th, 2008, 07:52

it's an interesting design.

i personally don't like the way you page title are half exposed, within the heading, as you are unable to read it correctly.

also, i agree with CV that your navigation is a bit lack luster, spice it up a bit.

your portfolio is very impressive, but I would like a bit more information about the projects, how much did they cost, timescales, technology used, etc

mwdesign · May 8th, 2008, 22:26

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes I must give the navigation a bit more 'luster'. I've tried to keep things minimal and let the work do all the talking so to speak. I realise the information on each project is a bit short. The audience that the site is designed for I don't think would be interested in how the sites were built, other than web designers / developers. I think a potential client is more interested in how the work looks rather than how it was made.

mwdesign

mwdesign · May 8th, 2008, 22:29

Yes the shadow was built to look like that. I can see what you mean though.

mwdesign